Comfy armchairs, instruments, board games, and a dart board are among the items being sought to kit out the island’s first dedicated hub for islanders living with ADHD.
ADHD Jersey founder Rachel Boss is appealing for donations to make the organisation’s St Helier hub more “cozy, welcoming and full of good vibes”.
Having been gifted the building on Mulcaster Street by insurers Islands Hepburns last year, the non-profit organisation is hoping to expand operations this year – starting with fitting out the location for its programmes.
Islanders are being asked to donate:
- Sofa and comfy armchairs, coffee table and a children’s play kitchen/shop or play table for mother and baby mornings.
- Instruments and music stands for the hub’s music room.
- Bean bags, DJ headphones, board games, a dart board and a pool table for the rec room and teen space.
ADHD Jersey aims to raise awareness of the realities of living with ADHD, and support the approximately 6,000 islanders living with a diagnosis.
Ms Boss said she sees at least 60 people come through the hub every week, and estimated that Jersey spends £30 million each year as a result of undiagnosed ADHD.
Despite this, the organisation continues to struggle with funding.
“I’ve worked so hard to get it all set up and it would be devastating to see it taken away,” said Ms Boss.
As of December 2024, there were an average of 38 referrals for ADHD diagnosis every day –with the waiting list for just adult diagnoses sitting at 1,034.
ADHD Jersey’s flagship programme, STEPS, has supported over 30 adults in the island through weekly sessions to help them “better understand themselves and build strategies that make everyday life easier”.
The organisation is hoping to begin a number of new programmes this year including PX2, a version of the STEPS programme aimed at helping teenagers.
Islanders can donate to ADHD Jersey here.